New Orleans VooDoo

VooDoo Aim For Fresh Start With Hire of Head Coach Dean Cokinos

Wednesday September 17, 2014

NEW ORLEANS (September 17, 2014) - After a dismal past two seasons on the playing field, the New Orleans VooDoo looks to start fresh with the hire of Head Coach Dean Cokinos, announced the VooDoo front office Wednesday morning.

Dean Cokinos enters his first year as Head Coach for the New Orleans VooDoo and sixth with the AFL.

In 2008, Cokinos led the Tennessee Valley Vipers to the Arenafootabll2 Championship in a dramatic 56-55 OT win on the road. The game was voted the Top af2 game of all time. After a two -year stretch with the AFL’s Georgia Force, Cokinos returned to Huntsville for the 2013 season and sparked one of the biggest turnarounds in indoor history guiding the Alabama Hammers to their first PIFL Championship on July 8th with a dominating 70-44 victory over the Richmond Raiders.

In Georgia, Cokinos led the Georgia Force to consecutive AFL play-off appearances in 2011 (Conference Finals) and 2012 (Quarterfinals), before the ceasing of operations.

In his first term in Huntsville, from 2008-2010, as Head Coach of the Vipers Cokinos posted 32 victories while capturing a League title, Conference title and a South Division title.

Cokinos comes off of a two -year stint with the Alabama Hammers. The Hammers completed the 2014 season of play in the Professional Indoor Football League with a 4-8 record, after winning the PIFL Championship a year ago.

From 2005 to 2007 Cokinos served as an Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator and Director of Personnel for the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League. Cokinos also had the additional duties of evaluating all professional arena/indoor league players nationwide for the NFL Tennessee Titans, owners of the Kats

Cokinos also achieved International coaching experience working in the German Football League, which served as an NFL Europe developmental league, as Head Coach and General Manager for teams in Munich and Berlin.

VooDoo Managing Partner Dan Newman about Cokinos joining the VooDoo said, “Our fans and supporters in New Orleans expect a winning football team in the Smoothie King Center. We’ve not made that happen. Dean knows how to win. And it starts with the players on the field. He has been known for years as being exceptional at identifying good football talent, bringing that talent to his team, and leading his teams to wins. He is committed to doing that in NOLA. We’re fortunate he agreed to come. “

Considered an expert in player evaluation, player development and player advancement, Cokinos has promoted multiple players to higher leagues as a Head Coach. In his combined seasons in Nashville, Georgia and Alabama, he has helped multiple former players signed to play in the NFL and in the CFL. In Europe, 11 National Players who were recruited and developed by Cokinos, went onto to play in NFL Europe with 2 of those players making NFL rosters. During his tenure as an AFL Head Coach Cokinos served on the six man AFL Coaches Advisory Board and was proactive in league rules and policies.

Cokinos and his wife Trina have two daughters, Isidora and Alexandria, and reside in Franklin, TN.

The VooDoo will formally announce this addition to the press and fans in the coming weeks.

About the New Orleans VooDoo

The New Orleans VooDoo will play in the New Orleans Arena, a SMG managed facility directly across the street from the Mercedes Benz Superdome. For any and all information, call (888) 277-5526 ext.132 for Director of Operations, Hayley Asaro

About the AFL
Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased a fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. The ESPN family of networks and CBS Sports Network will nationally broadcast AFL games each week for the entire 2014 season. The AFL schedule culminates each season with the ArenaBowl on ESPN.